Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Apr 4: Former MLA J R Lobo informed that Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has formed District level task force committee to tackle the ongoing crisis of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Addressing media here on Saturday, April 4, J R Lobo said, "We are in an emergency situation due to coronavirus outbreak. Hence, in this regard, we have formed district level task force to tackle coronavirus. We will also form a war room at district Congress office.

“As opposition, we need to document all the effective works done during this situation. We have formed sub committees for food, health and social media. Government has promised to provide ration to people. At the same time we should see that it is implemented well. We as opposition can also give suggestion and coordinate to implement it effectively."

Congress has no problem in the decision of shifting the wholesale vegetable and fruit shops to APMC Baikampady from central market, but the implementing time and method was wrong as the decision was taken at the last moment which led to confusion among people. Lobo questioned the emergency decision that led to chaos. “It would have been better if decision was made early and systematically and people were informed at least 24 hours prior and not just two to three hours earlier,” Lobo said.

There is no need of taking political benefit. We all should work together and suggestions need to be taken from all the leaders and MLAs irrespective of their parties. In such situations, no one would give wrong suggestions. Therefore, taking suggestions from everyone and formulating decisions and plans towards coming out from this outbreak would be a better option, he said.

District Congress president Harish Kumar said, "Government is giving free ration for two months. When situation was normal, we were giving 7 kgs of rice. But today in this situation, the government is giving only 5 kgs of rice. So far, wheat has not been distributed along with rice. Along with rice, they could have provided extra products such as oil and dal for at least the next two months. People here demand boiled rice. When the facilities are given properly to the public, there will be no confusion among them. MLA Khader, former minister Ramanath Rai and youth Congress president Mithun Rai are also distributing food kits to the needy.”

MLC Ivan D Souza said, "Government is providing 5kgs of rice while we were providing 7 kgs of rice. Wheat has not been distributed. Government announced providing Modi kit but no one has received it so far. Pension is pending since five months. While food in Indira Canteen is being charged instead of providing it for free. The testing lab at Wenlock has not started yet, and there is no proper arrangement of ventilators."